The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-08
For THE CLARIoa.l
Commencement Week in Jackson,
Louisiana.

| once every year lHt cbdlu Oid tOnh VI
jackson, La, arOuses from its lethargy
in order that j. may properly entertain
| its guests, who come to witness the
closing exercises of its schools, for Jack
son is Justly proud of the institutions OF
learning which are situated In its midst
The first exercises which take place
are those of Wildwood Institute, select
school for young ladies, situated in the
northern part of the town. This Insti-
tute is presided over by Miss Maggie
McCaimonl, who is assisted by an able
corps of teachers. Wednesday night,
May Goth, was devoted to the concert
and dramatic entertainment given by
the school, This was a complete sue
cess, and all agree in pronouncing it the
| best concert that has ever taken place
at Wildwood.
| On Thursday morning at eleven o'clock
the elegant auditorium was again filled
with the patrons and friends of the
school, who had assembled to witness
| the graduating exercises. These con-
| sisted of vocal and instrumental music,
and essays by the members of the grad
uating class, which was composed of the
| following young ladies: Misses Sigletary,
Dawson, Reeks, Adams and Burberry.
These young ladies received the degree
of Mistress of English Literature. The
program of the days exercises was con-
cluded by an address to the graduating
class by Rev. John L. Sawyer; and last,
| but by no means least, came the dining
given by Miss McCalmonl to her own
graduates and the graduating class of
Centenary College. 1t Is unnecessary
to state that this entertainment was
immensely enjoyed by the College boys.
Thursday and Friday nights were de-
voted to the closing exercises of Miss
Callett's Academy for Young Ladies.
This school is situated in the western
part of the town, and has been very
successful during the past session. The
program consisted of music, instrument
tai and vocal, interspersed with essays
and calisthenic exercises. There were
no graduates this session, though the
school is a regularly chartered one.
Very unfortunately there is no exhibit
ton hall attached to the school building,
and hence the exercises were held in
Jones' Opera House, which is hardly
large enough to seat the immense crowds
that attend the commencement enter
tainments in jackson.
The closing exercises of
CENTENAkY COLLEGE
were inaugurated on Sunday, May 30th,
by the commencement sermon, which
was delivered by Rev. j. L. Sawyer, of
New Orleans. The weather was very
unfavorable, and fears were entertained
that the sermon would have to be post
poned, but by the time the hour for the
service arrived the commodious chapel
of the college was filled with large
crowd, who had assembled to hear the
discourse, which was eloquent and en-
tertaining.
On Sunday night large and select
audience congregated in the Methodist
church to listen to the address by Rev.
G. G. Andrews to the Young Mems
Christian Association. The address
| lasted about one hour, and was enjoyed
| by ALL At the conclusion of the address
the President of the Association re-
turned thanks to Dr.. Andrews, and
complimented the audience on the very
close attention which they had paid to
the lecture.
On Monday morning the Board of
Trustees held their annual meeting.
By Monday night ali traces of the
rain had vanished, and very large
crowd assembled in the chapel to be en-
tertained by the members of the Pre-
paratory Department. A friend of the
| college had offered a medal to be
awarded to the representative of this
department who should best deliver q
speech of his own selection. About ten
| contested for the medal, and all did
| well, but in the opinion of the commit
tee appointed to decide, Mr.. T. Legget
made the best speech, and he was de-
clared the winner of the medal, and the
applause which greeted him, as he went
| forward to receive his prize, showed that
all were satisfied with the decision.
| Tuesday morning was the time ap-
pointed for the graduating exercises of
| the Union Literary Society. After the
President had welcomed the audience,
| Mr.. w. T. Whiteman delivered the pins
to the graduates. Mr.. G. K. Lewis re-
sponded on behalf of his class, and all
hearts were sad as they realized that
four of the Unions members were that
day to leave her walls, but they knew
that should the Union ever be in need
of assistance, they would gladly respond
/ to her call. The President of the So
ciety then presented the diplomas to
the graduates. Calls were then made
for addresses from the honorary mem
bers and graduates of the Society. This
occasion has always been considered one
of the most interesting features of COM
mencement, and this session it seemed
even more interesting than usual
i Immediately after the exercises in the
Union hall, the meeting of the Alumni
took place, at which time the officers
for the ensuing year were elected. Prof
lR. II. McGimsey was elected to make
| the address, and Hon. Chas- s. Duke
was elected to read the poem before the
Alumni at the next commencement
Then the members adjourned to this
chapel, where impromptu addresse:
were made by distinguished gentlemen
On Tuesday night, the annual exhibit
ton of the joint Societies occurred
This is one of the most interesting exer
i cises of the whole commencement, ans
!, this year it was rendered doubly enter
tanning, from the fact that medal hat
been offered by Rev. Mr.. Cooper, 0
] Edwards, to the one who should com
pose the best speech, and who shoul'